Chapter 45

Chang Sheng looked at the stage.

On the stage was Tian Hai Ya'er. Sensing the gaze, he looked back at Chang Sheng, his thin, crimson lips slightly upturned, and a mocking, contemptuous smile appeared on his pale, youthful face. The meaning behind the smile was clear.

The heavily injured Xuanyuan Po was carried off the stone platform. The Heavenly Dao College instructors hurriedly provided treatment, and then the students of the摘星学院 (Zhaixing Academy) escorted him away from the venue. Tian Hai Ya'er retracted his gaze and looked down at the agitated crowd, sneering, "I know, you idiots and scum don't like me, but so what? I don't need your approval; I just need you to fear me. What can you do even if you hate me? Do you dare to attack me?"

"The Qingteng Banquet is truly laughable. A bunch of idiots want to leap over the dragon gate, but they haven't thought that only true dragons can leap through the gate in the clouds! You poor people from remote villages actually think you have a chance?"

Tian Hai Ya'er mocked, "I came to the Qingteng Banquet not to kindly wake you up from your delusions, but to do two things. Once I'm done, I'll leave, so you won't have to stare at me with your eyes popping out."

As those truly powerful figures silently pondered, the宗祀所 (Zongsi Temple) sending this crazy little monster to the Qingteng Banquet was not to win the top prize, but for deeper reasons, and it might even have nothing to do with the宗祀所 (Zongsi Temple) itself!

At this moment, hearing Tian Hai Ya'er's words, the venue became quieter, and people were very curious about what the two things he planned to do were.

The battle with the妖族 (Yaozu) youth from Zhaixing Academy was clearly an accidental situation and was not one of the two things he planned to do.

"I came to the Qingteng Banquet today because Tang Sanliu said he would cripple me, so I want to cripple him."

Tian Hai Ya'er looked at the Heavenly Dao College seats and said, "Although he is your Heavenly Dao College student, I think since he said those words, you can't stop me. What's interesting is that the idiot from the countryside doesn't dare to show up."

He looked at Chang Sheng in the corner and said with disdain, "The second thing I need to do is related to this waste."

"A few days ago, besides hearing that Tang Sanliu wants to cripple me, I also heard a very absurd thing. The National Teaching College... that broken cemetery in Baihua Alley... actually recruited a new student. Ah, I can't believe my ears."

Tian Hai Ya'er, as if hearing the funniest thing in the world, rubbed his stomach and laughed shrilly, his voice extremely unpleasant.

Suddenly, he reined in his laughter and roared, his voice echoing like thunder across the Heavenly Dao College campus.

"Bold!"

Tian Hai Ya'er looked at Chang Sheng with a cold expression, then swept his gaze over the faces of the主教大人 (Bishop) from the教枢处 (Jiaoshu Office) and many others, his voice extremely cold and low, not at all like a twelve-year-old boy's: "I don't care who did this, I just want to ask him one question: does he want to die?"

The Heavenly Dao College instructor glanced at the main stage and saw that the主教大人 (Bishop) from the教枢处 (Jiaoshu Office) still looked calm.

Logically, even Tian Hai Ya'er shouldn't be able to issue such a high-handed reprimand or threat to those powerful figures.

But he did, and the venue remained silent.

Because he might represent the教宗大人 (Patriarch) or even the Holy Empress, asking the conservative forces within the National Teaching College and those who want to stir up trouble by reopening the National Teaching College: what do you really want to do?

No one could answer this question.

"You, waste, couldn't even complete the bone-washing ritual, and you want the National Teaching College to be reborn? What a joke!"

Tian Hai Ya'er looked at Chang Sheng and said matter-of-factly, "I know you and Tang Sanliu are acquainted. Since he doesn't dare to show up, you come up and let me cripple you. That way, I can finish both things at once, saving time."

Silence.

People had previously laughed, with harsh, mocking laughter, directed at the National Teaching College's decline and poverty, and the silence of the young man and woman.

But now, no one laughed, because of Tian Hai Ya'er's earlier viciousness and because they knew that if the new student from the National Teaching College really climbed the stone platform, his fate would be even more tragic than the妖族 (Yaozu) youth, possibly even death.

"Or..."

Tian Hai Ya'er looked at him and smiled, "You can publicly announce your withdrawal from the National Teaching College, then kneel and beg for my forgiveness. Maybe I'll let you go."

...

...

Chang Sheng couldn't withdraw from the National Teaching College, because this was the神将府 (Shenjiang Mansion)... more accurately, the powerful figure behind the Xu Mansion gave him his only option. Without the National Teaching College student status, he couldn't participate in next year's grand examination.

After hearing Tian Hai Ya'er's words, he naturally felt very angry and confused—he didn't understand why he, a young man from Xining Town, would be despised by this young strongman from the宗祀所 (Zongsi Temple). Yes, even being despised requires qualifications and reasons.

This was because he didn't know that when he was quietly practicing and reading in the National Teaching College, ignoring the storms outside and the flowers in the alley, the capital was already seething with undercurrents, and many people were beginning to pay attention to him, such as the Heavenly Dao College instructor, some people in the离宫 (Ligong), and some people in the palace.

His engagement to Xu Yourong was a secret unknown to anyone, and those people naturally didn't know that he entered the National Teaching College by chance. They thought that in the key year when the National Teaching College was about to become historical dust, a new student suddenly appeared, representing some old forces within the National Teaching College—those still loyal to the Chen royal family—testing the waters or making a declaration. More importantly, those people didn't see Chang Sheng's recommendation letter or the Patriarch's signature, so the attitude of the Jiaoshu Office afterward made them even more certain of their judgment.

This test or declaration was something those people couldn't accept, and they chose to suppress it without hesitation. They chose the timing of the Qingteng Banquet, and the specific person responsible for handling it was the Heavenly Dao College instructor. But who would be chosen to take action?

There were many officials and priests loyal to the Chen royal family in the Great Zhou Dynasty, so those people didn't want to be too obvious. Thus, the little monster from the Zongsi Temple became the best choice, as he was the Holy Empress's nephew and had a background in the National Teaching College.

The Holy Empress and the Patriarch might not even know that the National Teaching College had a new student, but this couldn't change Tian Hai Ya'er's surname and lineage. The best part was that Tian Hai Ya'er was just a twelve-year-old boy... no matter how much humiliation or even if he killed someone on the spot, what could be done?

Children are always the best excuse for not knowing better, right?

The two most important guests at the Qingteng Banquet tonight, the Bishop from the Jiaoshu Office and the Eastern Marshal Xu Shijie, were very clear about this undercurrent. Xu Shijie knew Chang Sheng's background, but due to the engagement, he was willing to remain silent. Whether Chang Sheng was humiliated or killed, it was a scene he was willing to see. As for the Bishop's silence, it represented deeper implications, as he knew more about the situation.

For example, the identity of the little girl by Chang Sheng's side.

...

...

Kneel or not kneel, leave or be beaten to death—this was the choice Tian Hai Ya'er gave Chang Sheng, with few options, just to prove that the National Teaching College had already become history. After all, he was just a child, and his methods were crude and direct, just humiliation.

No one wanted to endure such humiliation, and Chang Sheng didn't want to either. He was more upset that Luo Luo would have to endure this humiliation with him, making him feel very guilty toward this little girl who had clearly grown up in luxury and had never been mistreated.

Luo Luo was indeed very angry; she had never endured such humiliation in her life. But Chang Sheng remained silent, so she had to stay still, lowering her head deeply to hide the anger gradually building in her eyes.

At this moment, she heard Chang Sheng's apologetic voice.

"I told you, becoming a student at the National Teaching College, you might have to endure a lot of humiliation and oppression."

Luo Luo felt like she had heard this somewhere before, then remembered it was from their conversation in the National Teaching College that day. She thought, was Mr. Chen testing her? Yes, otherwise, with Mr. Chen's talent and ability, how could he tolerate that little monster humiliating the National Teaching College?

She remembered her answer to Chang Sheng that day.

"Mr. Chen, no one dares to humiliate me."

Yes, from a young age, no one dared to humiliate her, so no one could humiliate the Mr. Chen she respected immensely, nor the National Teaching College she increasingly cherished. Anyone who dared to do so must pay a heavy price.

Luo Luo stood up, bowed to Chang Sheng, and walked toward the stone platform.

The night garden was silent, and countless eyes followed her.

Only when she stood in front of Tian Hai Ya'er did people confirm what they saw.

The National Teaching College accepted the challenge from the little monster of the Zongsi Temple?

Who is that little girl?

...

...

Tian Hai Ya'er looked at the little girl in front of him and asked, "Who are you?"

Luo Luo didn't speak, just glanced at Chang Sheng below the stage.

"Turns out you're also a student from that ghost place?"

Tian Hai Ya'er laughed strangely, then reined in his laughter, speaking in a serious and terrifying tone, "Don't worry, you're so beautiful, how could I bear to kill you? After I'm done with you, I'll kill that guy, and then I'll come back to you, okay?"

These words were extremely vulgar, even more so coming from a twelve-year-old boy.

Luo Luo was very angry, but her expression became increasingly calm.

The people at the Qingteng Banquet all looked at the stage, many professors and officials focusing on the little girl, confirming that she had successfully completed the bone-washing ritual, not a complete waste like Chang Sheng, but her realm was not high, and she was clearly no match for Tian Hai Ya'er.

Comparing such a delicate and beautiful little girl with the little monster from the Zongsi Temple was unreasonable.

People thought they would see the little girl fall in a pool of blood in the next moment, and many felt reluctant and pity.

Zhuang Huan Yu suddenly stood up and shouted, "Stop!"

He knew Luo Luo had a distinguished background, but no matter how distinguished, how could she compare to the little monster's background? Moreover, the little monster's methods were terrifying, as evidenced by the previous Yaozu youth being crippled. How could he watch her be tortured by that little monster?

The Bishop of the Zongsi Temple frowned slightly and reached out to stop Tian Hai Ya'er, but the Heavenly Dao College instructor appeared at the side of the stone platform, blocking Tian Hai Ya'er's line of sight, then coldly looked at Zhuang Huan Yu.

The Bishop of the Jiaoshu Office seemed ready to say something, but Xu Shijie suddenly made a casual remark, intentionally or unintentionally blocking him.

Tian Hai Ya'er looked at Luo Luo and laughed, his crimson lips revealing teeth as white as bone.

He wanted to tell her, look, how many people want you dead, but I won't kill you, I'll just cripple you, and then I'll cripple that waste.

He knew that if he hesitated, he might be stopped, so he no longer hesitated.

He darted to Luo Luo and punched.

His fist was small but carried a terrifying hurricane and blinding lightning.

His fist was hard, not aiming at Luo Luo's face but at her slightly raised chest.

His thoughts were cruel, his methods despicable, but he was very powerful and showed no mercy!

Wind and thunder are phenomena caused by a cultivator's true essence reaching a certain level, at least to the upper realm of Sitting in Meditation, where the stars can be seen in the finest details, to achieve such a terrifying level of true essence and produce such effects.

Tian Hai Ya'er attacked with full force.

The previous strong and powerful Yaozu youth was crippled by this punch, let alone the delicate little girl in front of him?

Shouts of shock and screams echoed from the crowd below the stone platform, many students covering their faces, unable to bear to watch!

...

...

In the midst of the shocked shouts and screams, a very angry, very frightened, and somewhat bewildered scream suddenly rang out!

People looked at the stage and found that this scream came from Tian Hai Ya'er!

In front of Tian Hai Ya'er's fist, another fist appeared!

It was Luo Luo's fist.

Her fist also carried a hurricane and lightning, but the hurricane was even more violent, and the lightning was even brighter!

A crisp sound!

Tian Hai Ya'er's fingers instantly split open, blood spurting, revealing bone!

The cracks quickly reached his wrist, and his wrist bone instantly broke!

Pain! Unbearable pain!

Tian Hai Ya'er's pupils shrank to a small black dot, and a scream of pain and panic burst from his crimson lips.

Blood spurted out with it.

What was happening?

Why did this delicate, beautiful little fist contain such terrifying power?

Tian Hai Ya'er had no time to think, his mind completely filled with fear. In his scream, he desperately tried to retreat.

He knew he had to leave this fist as soon as possible, or he would surely die!

But he retreated fast, and Luo Luo advanced even faster.

Her fist, like a hurricane, was fierce, like lightning, was swift, hitting Tian Hai Ya'er's fist.

From one end of the stone platform to the other, a distance of several dozen feet, her fist remained pressed against his.

A terrifying amount of true essence continuously struck Tian Hai Ya'er's body from her fist!

A loud boom!

Tian Hai Ya'er fell at the edge of the stone platform, his right wrist shattered, his fingers covered in blood.

His face was pale as snow, his eyes full of shock and bewilderment.

He didn't understand what had happened, but he had lost, completely and utterly.

...

...

Suddenly, cicada sounds rang out in the night trees.

It was a summer night, impossible to be quiet.

But the area around the stone platform was silent, like a winter night without snow, with no sound.

Then, like melting snow.

Drip, drip.

Blood dripped from the little fist onto the stone ground.

The little girl stood in the night breeze and said a sentence to the crowd.

She was answering Tian Hai Ya'er's earlier question and also declaring a fact to everyone present.

"My name is Luo Luo, and I am a student at the National Teaching College."

The cicada sounds grew more agitated, and the venue grew even quieter. People looked at the stage in shock, at the little girl whose skirt fluttered in the night breeze, feeling that what they saw was not real. Everyone thought they would see the little girl fall in a pool of blood, so they covered their faces, unable to bear to watch. But in the end, it was the little monster from the Zongsi Temple who fell in a pool of blood.

No one could have imagined such an outcome.

The forgotten National Teaching College and the unknown little girl gave the world a great shock.

...

...

The battle started suddenly, even somewhat shamelessly, but ended even faster, satisfyingly.

Luo Luo knew she would win because she was originally very strong. That night, being ambushed by a powerful demon was dangerous, but it didn't mean she was weak among her peers. No, among her peers, she was an absolute strongman, especially in terms of true essence quantity, few could match her.

If Tian Hai Ya'er had been more calm and chosen to use techniques and methods to fight her, she might not have won in such a crushing manner, but Tian Hai Ya'er was used to using dominance to overpower others, not knowing that her bloodline was the most noble and dominant in the world!

Everything was over.

Luo Luo looked at Tian Hai Ya'er and raised her fist again.

She remembered clearly the words the little monster said after severely injuring the Yaozu youth, and the humiliation he inflicted on Mr. Chen and herself. Now was the time to return that humiliation.

"Stop!"

Seeing her prepare to continue, many powerful figures who had been silently watching the battle changed their expressions.

The Yaozu youth could be crippled or killed, and the National Teaching College students could be crippled or killed, but... Tian Hai Ya'er could not be crippled or killed!

Because he was a Tian Hai.

A sharp sound broke the air, and several powerful figures, including the Heavenly Dao College instructor, appeared on the stage.